EDWARDSVILLE – A man who recently dropped a federal lawsuit against the city of Alton for allegedly arresting him without probable cause now faces a March 5 trial date on a charge of aggravated home repair fraud.

Sylvester Jennings claimed in his suit filed in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis that he was arrested without probable cause and held in jail until a Madison County state’s attorney found there was no probable cause to hold him.

However, the city responded that a state’s attorney did not decide there was no probable cause.

Jennings was indicted by a Madison County grand jury Oct. 6 on a charge of aggravated home repair fraud.

The suit was dropped shortly after the indictment. He may be allowed to file it again.

The indictment claims Jennings “entered into an unconscionable agreement or contract” with a person 60 years of age or older, requiring payment to Jennings of at least $26,129.

In his suit, Jennings asked for at least $500,000 from the city, plus the same amount from each of three police officers involved in his arrest.

The arrest was July 2, 2009. The federal suit was filed Sept. 6, 2011. The suit also asks for punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

The city claims it is not subject too punitive damages. The city claims the suit was barred by the statute of limitations.

sanfordschmidt@yahoo.com